Chord-chart for piano-keyboards.



W. C. BEARD.

GHORD CHART FOR PIANO KEYBOARDS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 25, 1911.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

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PATENT OFFICE.

WALLACE BEARD, 0F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CHORD-CEIART FOR, PIANO-KEYBOARDS.

Specication of Letters latcnt.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

Application filed September 25, 1911. Serial No. 651,093.

To all whomv t may concern Be it known that I, Initiation C. Briant), a citizen of the United States, and resident of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful. Improvements in Chord- Charts for Piano-Keyboards, of which the following is a speeilication, containing a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to that class of devices known as harmony charts, to be placed above the keyboard of a piano or organ and used as a guide by unskilled musicians and beginners', and my invention consists in the novel construction hereinafter described and pointed out in the annexed claim.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved chord chart for piano and organ keyboards which shall be very simple and cheap in construction, and yet be highly efficient and satisfactory in the hands of beginners.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front-elevation of a portion of a piano or organ keyboard, with my improved chart in position thereon, and Fig. 2 is an elevation of the reverse side of the chart, as arranged for the minor keys.

In carrying out my invention I provide a single integral sheet of cardboard l, preferably rectangular in shape, and provide it on one or bothsides with a series of ruled parallel lines 2 which divide the chart-face into a series of horizontal spaces 3; and with a series of vertical parallel lines 4, which latter intersect said horizontal-lines 2 and thereby divide the said horizontal spaces into a series of shorter adjoining vertical spaces 5. The said horizontal spaces 3, as thus defined, are numbered respectively 1, 2 and 3, beginning with the second horizontal space from the bottom edge of the sheet; and certain ones of the said vertical spaces 5 thus defined are designated by the same numbers which designate said horizontal spaces. An adjoining series of said vertical spaces 5 are tixedly marked at their lower ends (so that they may be located as closely as possible to the keyboard) with the signatures of the various keys in which it may be desired to play. I have found it desirable to omit certain of the horizontal spaces 3 and vertical spaces 5, as shown, for the purpose of placing on the face of the chart suitable directions tor its use, and this I have done in the following words: For piano or organ, stand this chart upright on the instrument behind the black keys the igures indicate the notes for the iirst, second and third changes. The letters at the bottom indicate the different keys. Place the key to be played over middle C on the instrument. The above directions are printed on one side of the chart, and this side is marked at the top with the words Chord chart and Major keys. The reverse side or face of the chart is preferably marked, as shown in Fig. 2, with the following words: Chord chart Minor keys Strike one on the left with left thumb next with right hand play the three ones on the right twice, repeat and follow up with Nos. and 3 in like manner. The perpendicular lines and spaces correspond with keybord. of the piano or organ thus each figure stands directly over the note to be played.7

The numeral G indicates the white keys of the keyboard, and 7 the black keys thereof. The vertical wall of the piano case, in the rear of the said black keys 7, is indicated by the numeral S.

It will be apparent that the location of the numerals l 2 and 3 with relation to each other and to the various spaces, may be changed if desired; as for instance the numerals l may be substituted for the numerals 3 the latter' replacing the former. It will also be apparent that the arrangement for the major keys, as shown in Fig. l, may be located upon a sepa-rate sheet, and the arrangement for the minor keys be located upon a separate sheet, instead of upon the reverse side of the same` sheet which carries the said major key arrangement.

It will be observed that I have provided a numbered or otherwise designated vertical space 5 of `ubstantially the same width as that of the rear portion of each keyboard key G and T.

The operation is as follows: The chart is placed on edge, as shown in Fig. l, behind the black keys of the keyboard, and adjusted as there shown, until the vertical space marked with the signature C stands directly over the middle C of the keyboard, in case it is desired to play in the key of C; but if the operator desires to play in any other key he merely slides the chart to the right or left until the desired signature stands above the said middle C of said keyboard, and then strikes with his lett-hand thumb the key beneath the vertical space in which the numeral l 7 is located, on the left-hand portion of the chart; next, with the fingers of the right-hand he should simultaneously strike the three keys which are below the three Vertical spaces marked with the numeral l twice in the proper time; then repeat, and follow by playing the keyboard keys which are directly below the vertical spaces marked 2 and 3 in a like manner. lt will be noted that each of the vertical spaces designated by the numerals l 7, 2 and 3 stands directly over the key to be played.

l do not limit myself to the exact arrangement shown in the drawing, as it is obvious that minor changes can be made by one skilled in the art Without departing from the scope of my invention.

l/Vhat l claim is:

The improved accompaniment chart for various keys in which it is desired to play,

said signatures being arranged in such order that the chart may be positioned for playing in any one ot' the keys indicated in the several signatures by placing the signature et the particular key over the key C.

ln testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALLACE C. BEARD. Witnesses:

E. L. WALLACE, Jol-1N C. HIGDON.

Gepie; er this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

